Kuehne + Nagel announced today that is has entered into an agreement to take over the two Colombian companies Translago S.A.S. and Agencia de Aduanas Excelsia Ltda. as well as Mastertransport SA, Ecuador. All three companies are specialised in perishables logistics activities.

Global expansion in the field of perishables logistics is an important element of Kuehne + Nagel’s five-year growth programme. By acquiring these specialised forwarders in Colombia and Ecuador, Kuehne + Nagel gains access to two of South America’s key perishables export markets, and, at the same time, considerably strengthens its position in the regional airfreight markets.

Translago S.A.S. and Agencia de Aduanas Excelsia Ltda., headquartered in Bogota, employ 160 staff and are the market leaders in exports of flowers and other perishables, mainly to destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific. With 30 specialists, Mastertransport SA is an important player in this business segment in Ecuador. Together, the three companies control approx. 75,000 tons air export perishables per annum.

“By combining the newly acquired companies with our existing operations, we are achieving the leading position in the South American perishables segment,” said Karl Gernandt, Executive Vice Chairman, Kuehne + Nagel International AG. “This represents a further step in implementing our global strategy and will strengthen our position in one of the world’s key growth regions.”

“We are very pleased with the opportunities opening up to our customers and employees through joining forces with the globally operating Kuehne + Nagel Group,” says Christian Luechau, CEO and shareholder of Translago. “Our strong market positions and specific expertise ideally complement Kuehne + Nagel’s global perishables network. Jointly we will be able to further enhance our services to the benefit of our customers.”